Games Watch

The belated but awesome Gran Turismo 4 ensures that PlayStation 2 owners retain bragging rights over Xbox owners. While Forza Motorsport is designed to rectify that situation, it doesn't quite measure up.

Mind you, Gran Turismo 4 is surely the finest driving game ever, so the fact that Forza Motorsport gives it a run for its money is some achievement. Forza is also Microsoft's first effort at a GT4 competitor.

But it falls down in two areas: car feel and graphics. Part of the problem lies in the Xbox's controller: its long-travel trigger buttons, which govern acceleration and braking, mitigate against seat-of-the-pants feedback. The two games would probably be more evenly matched when played with steering wheel add-ons.

But, surprisingly, Forza looks inferior to GT4. It also takes one fundamentally different approach: its makers have striven to achieve realism at the expense of arcade-style gameplay. Thus, the cars in Forza can sustain damage, which affects handling. After a big shunt you can find yourself at the wheel of a machine that is undriveable.

Structurally, Forza is identical to GT4, with a menu system that lets you upgrade cars more easily. It also has an optional system showing you the best racing line, handy the first time you drive around a track but otherwise annoying.

Where it really scores is online: it accommodates every aspect of Xbox Live, and even lets you buy and sell cars online.

If GT4 had not made it into the shops, Forza Motorsport would have earned accolades but, as it is, it will have to be content with second place. But that is a podium position.Steve Boxer

Mercenary tactics

Boiling PointPC, £34.99 Deep Shadows/Atari, 4 stars

No, your eyes do not deceive you. Having nicked its feel and location from Far Cry, Boiling Point begins in almost identical circumstances. The hero (featuring the voice and digital likeness of The Mummy's Arnold Vosloo) searches for his daughter, who has disappeared in mysterious circumstances. However, not everyone in this hell hole wants to kill you on sight, adding a welcome role-playing element to the usual (and impressive) first-person shooter action.

On the carefully constructed island, the population must be persuaded, bribed or intimidated into helping you. Mercenaries, mafia, army and locals play their part, leading to a game that can be baffling at first but looks stunning if your system has the grunt to handle it.

You also get the full complement of vehicles and weapons, although early on your skills may not be up to handling them all. So far, so good...

Alas, the mission and characters create problems, in the form of repeated dialogue, dodgy artificial intelligence and an objective-mapping system that never works quite as well as it should. However, it's still a lush, impressive game that refuses to let go.

Is it as good as Far Cry? Not really, but it is a most promising debut. Mike Anderiesz

Ward off the nasties

Area 51 Xbox, PlayStation 2, £39.99 Midway, 3 stars

When a game is called Area 51 and has voice characterisation by David "X-Files" Duchovny, you can guess the subject matter. Yes, this is conspiracy theory-laden science-fiction starring little grey aliens with big eyes. Your job is to clean up the underground facility by blasting everything you find. Luckily, then, the combat is a joy, with a real sense of achievement as you ward off the nasties.

The early levels see you joined by a squad, but don't be fooled. They don't last long and soon you will be ploughing a lonely and violent furrow. The action is intense, and the graphics, particularly on PlayStation 2, are impressive. But Xbox owners are unlikely to be swayed if they already have Halo 2 and Doom 3.

There is also a feeling of deja vu with elements from similar titles - Metroid and Half Life 2 spring to mind - shamelessly copied. The lack of any real puzzle element also makes for repetitive play.

Where Area 51 does impress, though, is sonically - the effects and music are atmospheric - and the twisty plot makes just enough sense to keep you battling. It is a solid title that will appeal to PS2 owners due to the lack of such titles on their console.